“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only answer you’re getting.”
I can hear her frustrated sigh. “We’re supposed to be in this together, aren’t we? Partners in survival?”
“Partners don’t always share everything.”
“Bull. Partners trust each other.”
The word “trust” hangs between us like a challenge. Trust. When was the last time I trusted anyone? When was the last time anyone trusted me enough to risk their life alongside mine?
“Trust has to be earned,” I tell her.
She lets go of my hand, shifting back. “Good to know where I stand.”
Fuck.
“I was looking for someone,” I say finally. “A bear seer. A teenage girl named Adelaide. Her parents hired me to find her after she was kidnapped.”
“Hired?”
“I track people. It’s what I do.” I shift position, my knees protesting against the stone floor. “Was what I did, I guess I should say. Finding Adelaide led me to a whole network of trafficking.”
“Thaddeus?”
“And others like him. They collect anyone they think might be useful to their purposes. “
“Did you find her? Adelaide?”
My throat tightens. “Yeah. I found her.”
“But?”
“Not in time.” The familiar weight of failure settles on my chest. “They’d moved her an hour after I got captured.”
Lithia’s grip on my hand tightens. “I’m sorry.”
“I should have acted quicker. Should have called for backup instead of trying to be a hero.”
“You tried to save a child.”
“Doesn’t matter if you fail.”
“Doing what’s right always matters.” Her voice is firm, certain. “Even when you fail.Especiallywhen you fail.”
I want to argue with her, but don’t have it in me to protest actions that happened so long ago.
“What about you?” I ask. “You’re a smart wolf. Why are you blaming yourself for being in here?” I can smell the bitter shame-scent of her guilt.
“That’s different.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“How?” I hear her move, shuffling away from the wall. “Talk to me, Lithia. What’s eating at you?”
For a moment, I think she’s going to shut down completely. Then she takes a shaky breath.
